I agree with @kevbo….and the quote that he used.
This isn’t about this religion or that religion (though it can be fuelled by such). This is about the degradation, humiliation and subjugation of women…throughout history and throughout the world. We think we have made strides, but we have not. Not really.
Domestic violence in “civilized Western countries” is still happening and in droves. There is the honor killings happening in America by fundamentalists and the emotional honor killings by fathers who simply walk if their child is born a girl. Both are acts of violence…on different levels.
I have been a victim of domestic violence. There I said it. Which is why I am so vocal on the subject. Think it just happens to stupid, uneducated women? It does not. Or women that “must like it, if not she would leave?” No. Or women of a “certain economic status”? No…it happens to all women in all walks of life and all ethnicities, rich and poor and in between. In a million years, It happened to a well-educated, thoughtful, well- adjusted woman. Me I never thought I would find myself in that sort of situation. He was a fantastic guy, loved by his friends, loved by my friends…no one even suspected that he had this horrible dark side. And he did. What no one talks about is how maiming this sort of behavior is….especially when you are involved with a man who is emotionally manipulative and good at it. Your walls cave in. You lose touch with reality. You are embarrassed (because you “should have known better”) to tell anyone. You doubt that he is really doing what he is doing in that you watch him and wonder, “How on earth did I not see this?” You end up beating yourself up, to. You doubt your judgement, your choices—especially when you are with a guy who is “such a fantastic guy”...uh, no. Who is going to believe you? He has hoodwinked everyone…even his family. What do you do? You keep silent. Until you can’t anymore.
The silence in the world is deafening. When you look at the picture in Time Magazine…you are seeing your sister, your mother, your friends….and you may not even know it.
Don’t be quick to judge anyone in this sort of situation. It is complex. And the next victim. might well be someone you adore and love.